THIS is the scene after an out-of-control car smashed into a family home.

Susan and Jason Hughes, and their 12-week-old son Daniel, were in bed asleep when a BMW smashed into their house in the early hours of yesterday.

The grey car caused extensive damage to the property in East Sleekburn, near Blyth in Northumberland, smashing through its stone garden wall, causing a massive dent in a brick side wall and shattering the living room window.

The front door of the Hughes’ neighbours was also hit and badly damaged.

The two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene and are being hunted by police.

The Hughes, their neighbours and two other properties were evacuated as a precaution, while there were also fears there could be a gas leak.

No one was injured in the incident, although Mrs Hughes and her baby are said to have had a lucky escape as the living room is where she usually feeds Daniel if he wakes during the night.

Mr and Mrs Hughes, 40 and 38, and Daniel were in bed at their home of seven years on Spring Ville when the car hit at 5.05am.

Mrs Hughes, a community nurse in Newcastle, was too upset to speak.

But her stepdad George Thompson said: “She was in shock.

“She would normally have been in that chair, feeding.

“If he (the baby) had woken up to be fed, that is where they would have been.

“They are a very lucky couple. You would have jumped out of bed.”

The Hughes got Daniel and raced out on to the street and were later taken in by other residents on the estate.

Their direct neighbours and two other properties were also evacuated as a precaution, amid fears of a gas leak.

Gas and electric officials visited to ensure the properties were safe, with the occupants of the two undamaged homes allowed back in later in the morning.

Insurers visited to assess the damage to the two properties.

Mrs Hughes’ stepfather said they were unsure how long the family would be out of its home.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “Emergency services were called to the incident after a BMW car left the road and became embedded in the side of the terraced house, causing serious structural damage to the house and neighbouring properties.

“Fortunately no one was injured in the house.

“The damaged home and nearby properties have been evacuated as a precaution.

“Local authority structural engineers are to assess the buildings.

“Inquiries are ongoing to trace the two occupants believed to have been in the crashed vehicle.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.